The top defensive tackle prospects for the 2026 NFL Draft include Peter Woods, Kayden McDonald, and Caleb Banks, among others. Each player showcases unique strengths and potential despite varying levels of production and injury concerns.
Key points
Top defensive tackle prospects for 2026 NFL Draft listed
Peter Woods has a 22% win rate on true pass sets
Kayden McDonald has the highest stop rate at 13.8%
Caleb Banks faces injury concerns affecting his draft stock
Lee Hunter transferred to Texas Tech and excelled
Peter WoodsKayden McDonaldCaleb BanksLee Hunter
Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Carson Beck (15) is pressured by Florida Gators defensive lineman Caleb Banks (88) during the third quarter of an NCAA football game Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. Georgia defeated Florida 43-20. | Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The Cincinnati Bengals may have Dexter Lawrence, but they could easily still take another defensive tackle to groom as an eventual replacement for 31-year-olds B.J. Hill and Jonathan Allen, while Kris Jenkins has yet to prove he’s deserving of significant playing time on a contender.
Let’s take a look at the top defensive tackles in this year’s NFL Draft class.
1. Peter Woods (6’2” 298) Clemson
The Clemson defensive tackle just turned 21 years old on March 5th. While he didn’t have the production many were expecting, he still generated pressure at a fairly high rate. He had a 16% win rate on true pass sets in 2025. That number was even better in 2024, when he had a 22% win rate. Woods has quick feet, paired with active hands, to be a disruptive force on the interior defensive line. It was disappointing that he didn’t test at the combine this year. After not testing as well as expected at the Clemson Pro Day, Woods could end up going later than originally expected.
McDonald is a dominant run defender on the interior. His 13.8% stop rate was the highest in this draft class for the position. McDonald can absorb double teams, is powerful at the point of attack, and had just a 3.3% missed tackle rate this past season. While he doesn’t offer much explosiveness as a pass rusher, he can still push the pocket with pure power.
Banks is an incredible athlete for his size. He posted a 9.84 relative athletic score at the combine. However, his day ended early with what appeared to be foot issues. That is concerning based on the issues he had during the 2025 season. He was limited to just 3 games due to recurring foot issues. When healthy, Banks is a difference maker with his 35” arm length. He posted 4.5 sacks and had a 20% win rate on true pass sets in 2024. The 2024 tape, size, and freakish athleticism are enticing. However, after confirmation of him breaking his foot at the combine, Banks is now likely to fall completely out of the first round.
Lee Hunter attended Auburn during his first season in college, ultimately redshirting that year, and decided to transfer after the season. Hunter spent his next three seasons playing at UCF. He transferred to Texas Tech ahead of the 2025 season, and proceeded to help lead them to the college football playoffs this year. Hunter is a stout presence in the middle, posting an 11.9% stop rate as a run defender. He had a highly impressive 17.5% win rate on true pass sets. The Tech nose tackle has shown good hand usage, quickness off the snap for his size, and iron-man durability, with over 500 snaps played in each of the last three seasons.
Halton had 30 pressures and 3.5 sacks in 2025. In 2024, he had 29 pressures and 5 sacks. He isn’t just a pass rusher either. Halton had an impressive 10.2% stop rate as a run defender this past season. He is alignment versatile, quick off the snap, a high effort player, and scored a 9.70 relative athletic score at the combine.
Gracen Halton is one of my personal favorite defensive tackles in this class. Top 50 is possible. Curious to see how he tests next week. pic.twitter.com/TlbyxAG3pU
Miller is still just 21 years old until August. He was mainly known as a run defender during his time at Georgia, but flashed at times as a pass rusher. He has quick feet, stack and shed ability, and his 90.2 run defense grade was among the highest in the class. While Miller is still developing as a pass rusher, he should come in and immediately help a team in stopping the run.
The player affectionately known as Big Citrus, Dominique Orange is a massive presence in the middle of a defense. He is physical against the run, has a strong anchor, powerful hands, and shows more burst than expected off the snap. Orange isn’t going to give a lot as a pass rusher, with just one career sack. He should be able to come in and immediately contribute on early downs and goal-line situations at the next level.
McClellan had his most productive season as a pass rusher in 2025, accumulating six sacks on the year. He possesses ideal grip strength in his hands, is a reliable tackler, has four years of SEC experience between Florida and Missouri, and had an 8.1% stop rate as a run defender. McClellan should find a role in a rotation early on his career, with potential to be a key starter down the road.
Chris McClellan (6’3 317) Missouri
Grip strength in his hands
Very reliable tackler with just a 6.6% missed tackle rate for his career
Onyedim transferred to Texas A&M after spending his first four seasons with Iowa State. He has violent hands, a vicious spin move, can move around the line, closing burst, and was among the leaders in the country as a run defender with an 11.7% stop rate in 2025. He can still continue expanding his pass rush arsenal, and has mediocre career sack production with just 5.5 sacks. I think the 6’2” 292 pound defensive tackle slides into a rotation immediately, and should be a quality player for years.
Tyler Onyedim (6’3 290) Texas A&M
Can move up and down the line
Arm length (34” arms)
11.7% stop rate was among the highest in the country in 2025
Another massive defensive tackle on this list. Jackson has 35” arm length. He maintains proper gap control and discipline, possesses power at the point of attack, and has played over 1,700 snaps during his career. Jackson’s motor can run a bit hot and cold, but there is no denying the physical traits he possesses. If he can be more consistent, this is a player who could outplay where he is likely to be selected on draft day.
